Summer Challenge: Marrying Colonial Decor With My Farmhouse Style

 

Excuse me if I have weddings on my mind. . .The loveliest couple just had some of their wedding photos taken in front of our home on Main Street. . .It's not the first time. . .The John Heil House has been a backdrop for photos of all kinds over the years. . .But it does my heart good every time it happens. . .

And. . .I was thinking about my summer challenge. . .hoping I can pull it off in combining Colonial with my Plain and Simple Farmhouse style. . .so. . .isn't marrying the two styles a great way to explain my goal? . . More romantic, too. . .

Want to learn more? . .Then hop on over to THE COUNTRY FARM HOME . . .I'll be sharing all the projects and progress there. . .but I will also let you know on this blog when I've published a post. . .You might want to stay a while at The Country Farm Home and see some of my farmhouse ideas. . .There are over one hundred links to posts at the bottom of the Farm Home page. . .

I'm excited to get started. . .soon. . .Mssr. B.J. LaShay not so much. . .or maybe he's resting up for all the coming projects. . .It's hard to tell. . .He'll be coming along on my journey, as always. . .and you'll see more of John's great carpentry work and ideas, too. . .

For our Ste. Genevieve Journal followers. . .not to worry. . .I will still be posting about this wonderful little town on this blog. . .

WHAT A FUN SUMMER IT WILL BE. . .

Is This Snow In May? Or Blooms From The Beautiful Black Locust Tree?

 Sure looks like the beginning of a snow storm. . .but in May? . .Rest assured it's not. . .It's just. . .

The annual blooming. . .and shedding. . .of Ste. Genevieve's black locust trees. . .

I think it gets more lovely every year. . .

Its sweet-smelling blossoms arrived just in time for the Annual Garden Walk in Downtown Ste. Genevieve last weekend. . .A hit with all photographers. . .and garden lovers. . .

Shutters Make the Difference Between Rustic Colonial and Victorian

 Buying an old home always brings decorating challenges. . .Families have moved in and out and each time the house was changed to suit their needs and lifestyles. . .which is one reason I love them. . .and one reason there is always decorating challenges for me. . .

And so it was with Heil House. . .While the front of the house was probably built around 1850, it has had three additions and many "updates". . .one of which changed the paneled doors of a traditional Colonial home to Victorian half glass ones. . .front and back. . .not at all with the style of the house, especially inside where I have a mix of prim and rustic pieces more in line with the 19th century. . .I've been bumfuzzled for three years as to what I should do about it without any major door replacements. . .

But. . .it dawned on me one day that a simple "shutter" or 19th century "bars" would change the whole feel of the room and add to the current decorating style. . .Of course I turned to John. . .my master carpenter. . .and you can see the result above. . .

Now, you might be thinking "That's not much!'. . .but look at this:

That's our pantry door in the back. . .complete with curtain that reminds me of the "new" colonial style more popular in the late 1950s and carried over into the 1990s. . .I enjoyed it for years. . .but let's face it. . .in 1850 there would have been no window and no curtain. . .but there could have been shutters at the top of a half door to let the air circulate. . .get my drift?. . .(grin)

By the way. . .the front door in the first photo also had the curtain. . .I'm sorry I didn't get a snapshot of it because it did nothing for the room. . .Now. . .I think the shuttered, barred door is great. . .and love the brightness and simplicity it brings to the living room. . .

To answer your next question. . .Yes!. . .the pantry door has one now, too. . .

And it only took me three years to figure it out. . .(another grin). . .

A Homegrown Country Dinner From My Community Garden Plot

 

Now, this is a country garden dinner! . . Everything you see here. . .with the exception of the sweet potatoes. . .was grown in my small garden plot at the Community Garden here in Ste. Genevieve. . .The Ozark peas. . .relish with green tomatoes, green and red peppers, onions and spices. . .fried squash with onions and sweet potatoes. . .

 Although the garden didn't do as well as I had expected, I was still able to eat all summer from what I grew. . .and I canned tomatoes. . .salsa. . .green tomato relish. . .bread and butter pickles. . .dill pickles. . .I put squash. . .peppers. . .peas. . .eggplant. . .onions. . .kale in the freezer. . .dried herbs on a rack for the winter. Not bad for my first city garden.

I wrote early this spring that I had obtained a garden plot and noted it could be a VICTORY GARDEN such as those during WWII. . .But I think it actually turned out to be a French potager, from a time when sustainable life was a necessity. . .Potagers were year-round vegetable gardens just large enough to supply the household with fresh vegetables and herbs every day. . .I have always relied on vegetables and fruit as my main-stays for meals. . .which makes summer my favorite time of the year. . .

And let me tell you. . .there's nothing like the taste of vegetables fresh from the garden. . .nothing. . .

I won't be participating in the community garden next year. . .because. . .we are preparing a garden in the backyard! . .Complete with a wire garden house to keep squirrels and other "varmints" away from my potager. . .But, if you live in Ste. Genevieve, I encourage you to join other gardeners at the Ste. Genevieve Community Garden next year. . .and grow some veggies for your summer table. . .It's great fun. . .Great exercise. . .Great culinary results. . .as you can see. . .Yum. . .Excuse me while I enjoy. . .

New Thoughts On Decor For Heil House

A couple of months ago. . .(has it been that long?). . .I was working on a photo shoot for a magazine article on Make-Do Chairs. . .I had purchased two of these specifically for the shoot. . .but I fell in love with them for our living room at Heil House. . .They are small and fit right in with the other furniture as accent pieces. . .

The more photos I took, the more I liked this arrangement. . .but there was something I wanted to change. . .although I wasn't sure what it was at the time. . .Now that I have lived with this 'look' for a while. . .I know exactly what I want now. . .Not just for the living room, but for the entire house. . .

I want 'PLAIN AND SIMPLE'. . .much like our COUNTRY FARM HOME . . .lots of light-color neutrals against the rich woods. . .a little  real color here and there. . .but not too much! 

So. . .I'm starting over. . .I do that a lot. . .Seems as if every house we buy it takes me a couple of years of living in it to know just what it needs. . .I know now. . .and I'll be sharing the changes little by little as the months go on. . .Don't miss it!

A Sure Sign of Fall

PUMPKINS! 

It won't be long until these decorative signs of fall will cover this town. . .Every year, Ste. Genevieve goes all out with seasonal decorations but it seems fall brings on huge displays of the harvests. . .From the unique to the absolutely beautiful. . .the coming season is definitely one of the town's favorites. . .bringing photographic opportunities for locals and visitors alike. . .
 

My favorite place to buy pumpkins, squash and gourds is the Mennonite Home Gardens Community Market south of Farmington on old Frederickstown Road. . .I was there a couple of weeks ago. . .They were beginning to bring in wagon loads of the traditional orange harvest. . .along with some very unusual ones. . .Not being too traditional myself, I was thrilled to see something different for my decorating plans. . .

 

By now, I'm sure there are many more selections and the tent is full. . .I will be journeying there soon. . .which is always a fun excursion. . .If you arrive early in the morning, you can see the wagons bringing produce to the market for the day's sales. . .It is quite a sight. . .A step-back in time. . .

 All sizes (including this 200+ pound pumpkin). . .all shapes from the harvest. . .A trip to the country. . .through narrow, tree-covered lanes. . .

Can hardly wait. . .

The Porches Where We Live

I was beginning to think that sitting on the porch, cooling off with a tall glass of iced tea, visiting family and friends, and enjoying the outdoors in general was a tradition that had long past. . .that is. . .until we found Ste. Genevieve. . .Here everyone considers their porches an additional room and a place to socialize with neighbors and visitors alike. . .

I walk almost everyday. . .and along the way. . .I am greeted with a constant barrage of 'good mornings' and 'nice days'. . .stopping every now and then to talk. . .for I have never found a porch that was not friendly. . .Morning or evening. . .it is a unique Ste. Genevieve experience within itself. . .and one I believe only adds to the charm of this village. . .

Homeowners take pride in their porches. . .and display a part of their own personality on them. . .Whether simple. . .comfy. . .artsy. . .fancy. . .

 

 

Porches have been a tradition in this town since the 18th century, when the French and then Spanish occupied the territory. . .Although Ste. Genevieve is situated in Central Missouri on the Mississippi River, the summers can be very hot and humid. . . so many tasks were carried on outdoors or on the long wide porches. . .Not much has changed since then . . .

And if there isn't a porch? . .Not to worry. . .Sidewalks will do. . .

 

Being neighborly. . .visiting with each other. . .sharing a glass of tea. . .laughter and gossip. . .You can't beat Ste. Genevieve for a friendly, good-traditions-of-the-past kind of place to be. . .

This one's for you, DeLois!!! (grin)